Tensions

B"H

The Israeli Online Magazine YNET reports that, again, certain Haredim are threatening Jerusalem's Mayor Nir Barkat.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3735669,00.html


Barkat said last Sunday that he would prefer a Zionist rabbi as the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem; appointed by the municipal rabbinate. Now ultra - orthodox leaders are threatening to cut off their ties with this rabbinate.

Regarding this, I am having a few remarks:

First of all, I didn't know that there is something like a "municipal rabbinate" in Jerusalem, I only know the Chief Rabbinate. Secondly, the threats are coming from Agudat Israel (e.g. Yahadut HaTorah) members and the anti - Zionist umbrella organization "Edah HaCharedit" is not included. The Edah has never accepted any Chief Rabbi but only appointed their own. The first examples were the Zionist Chief Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook and the first Edah Chief Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld (in 1921). Since, the Edah has never accepted anything from the Rabbanut. No Hechsher (Kashrut certificate), no nothing. The two organizations, Rabbanut and Edah, only work together when it comes to birth certificates and marriages.
Like exchanging documents.

The threats towards Barkat were stated by members of the Yahadut HaTorah (haredi Knesset party).

Why do those Haredim demand a haredi Rabbi of Jerusalem ?
Because the national religious are considered as too moderate. They wouldn't keep the Mitzwot as strict as the Haredim.

I don't really think that Jerusalem needs its own Chief Rabbi.
Well, that's right, Tel Aviv has got one (Rabbi Israel Me'ir Lau) but what does it help ? Does every town in Israel have to have its own Chief Rabbi ? Obviously YES.
So, YES but who actually recognizes their halachic decisions ?
Any chassidic groups, as they only follow their Rebbes.
The Edah ? Definitely NO.

Who would follow a Jerusalem Chief Rabbi anyway ?